An 11-foot alligator that wandered into a Fort Bend County neighborhood was finally nabbed on Wednesday and is now headed back to the wild, according to local authorities. The oversized visitor had already become a minor local celebrity after video and photos circulated over the weekend showing it cruising past yards and a golf course.
Deputies teamed up with wildlife crews to safely secure the animal and prep it for transport to a more suitable natural habitat. No, it is not becoming the Sienna Golf Course’s new unofficial mascot.
Video and images of the capture spread quickly online, and KHOU reports that the Fort Bend County Constable's Office for Precinct 4 shared a photo showing deputies posing with the roughly 11-foot gator. The Constable Precinct 4 office, which handles these types of calls, said crews planned to relocate the reptile to an appropriate natural area.
Where The Gator Turned Up
The alligator was reported in the Benbrook community of Fort Bend County, where residents caught it on camera on or near the Sienna Golf Course and nearby streets. FOX 26 Houston notes recent sightings at the Sienna Golf Course near Scanlan Trace and Camp Sienna Trail and reports that neighbors have spotted several gators in the area this spring.
Why Sightings Spike In Spring
The timing lines up with normal alligator mating and nesting season. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department notes that gator movement typically increases in spring through the end of May, as males roam farther while looking for mates. That extra wandering boosts the odds of surprise encounters in suburban spots like retention ponds, canals and other neighborhood waterways.
How To Stay Safe
Officials are reminding residents to give wild alligators plenty of space: do not approach them, do not feed them and definitely do not try to move them. Keep pets on a leash and children away from the water’s edge, especially in areas where gators have been seen.
For non-emergency help or to report an alligator sighting, residents can contact the Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Constable's Office. The agency’s contact page lists a non-emergency phone number along with links to additional resources.
